ptnews

Skate Park Opened

 The City of Gaithersburg’s Skate Park opened for the season on March 21, just in time for MCPS Spring Break.  Through November 1 the park will be weekdays from 3 p.m. to dark and Saturdays, Sundays and MCPS Holidays from noon to dark.  From November 1 through December 14 the park will be open weekends only from noon to dark, weather permitting.

The Skate Park is located at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, and welcomes skateboarders and in-line skaters during all sessions, and allows BMX bikers everyday except Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Safety equipment regulations require helmets, while elbow and knee pads are optional. However, all safety equipment is highly recommended and in-line skaters must wear wrist guards. Protective gear is available for rent.

The 12,300 square foot park contains a dozen ramps, rails and boxes to trick off of, and all the means necessary to do it. The park also features amenities including a 200-watt stereo system to play all the latest tunes, several quarters, a spine, bank, several smaller obstacles, and a misting system to keep skaters cool on those summer days. Make sure to take advantage of money-saving memberships, lessons, preschool programs, park rentals, competitions, area skate park trips, and more.

Admission is $3 for residents and $5 for non-residents. Money-saving Season Memberships are $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents. For more information call Devon Buchanan at 301-258-6350 or visit the website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/skate.

Please note: the Skate Park will be closed in the event of excessive rain, snow or heat.

     

Preschoolers Invited to “Roll” at Gaithersburg Skate Park

The City of Gaithersburg invites young children to roll around the Skate Park, located at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Avenue, for an exciting morning of endless motion. Preschoolers from ages two to six will be allowed to play on the lower ramps of the Skate Park with scooters, Big Wheels, and just about anything else that can roll on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. Admission is $3 per resident child and $5 for nonresidents. Parents are welcome to watch for free.

In addition to rolling and scooting, children can check out a real fire engine or bulldozer. There will also be snow cones for your enjoyment.

Pre-registration is not necessary. Payment will be accepted at the gate. For more information please call 301-258-6350 x144 or visit the Skate Park online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/skate.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vendors Sought for Spring Baby Bazaar and Flea Market

    Vendor registration begins March 31 for residents and April 7 for nonresidents for the ever-popular City of Gaithersburg Spring Baby Bazaar and Spring Flea Market.  Both will be held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, located at 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg.

The outdoor Baby Bazaar is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 while the outdoor Flea Market is set for Saturday, June 21, 2008.  Both events will be held from 8 a.m. to Noon, rain or shine. Admission to the public is free.

The City is currently seeking vendors to sell gently-used or new baby and children's merchandise for the Bazaar and gently used or new clothing, household items, collectibles and more for the Flea Market.  The resident cost is $20 for those selling used merchandise and $25 for those selling new merchandise. The nonresident cost is $25 for those selling used merchandise and $30 for those selling new merchandise.

Application forms are available online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.  For more information please call 301-258-6350.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Families Invited to Explore Life Under the Sea During Gaithersburg Green Week 

Gaithersburg’s annual Green Week celebration kicks off with a special Environmental Family Fun Night on Friday, April 18 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, next to Gaithersburg High School.

Marine biologists will bring the ocean to Gaithersburg with “Under the Sea,” helping families explore the diversity of life beneath the ocean waves.  Learn marine ecology and see real crabs, sea snails, clams, sea urchins, starfish and other unique aquatic life. 

Admission is $2 per person, with a maximum of $5 per family of three or more.  Children under the age of two are admitted free.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  To register call 301-258-6350.  For more information on this program and other elements of Gaithersburg Green Week, visit the city’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications Being Accepted for Bohrer Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarships

             High school seniors who are residents of the City of Gaithersburg are encouraged to apply for a W. Edward Bohrer, Jr. Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship.  Since the program’s inception in 1999, forty four high school seniors have received more than $87,000 to help with their college tuition. 

            “I’m proud to say that CHARACTER COUNTS! has become an integral part of our community,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz.  “I think it’s important that as a City we continue to support, encourage and reward ethical behavior through programs like this scholarship fund.”

            Scholarships will be awarded at the discretion of the selection committee, and are based on the embodiment of the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!, personal merit, financial need, and the student’s commitment to further education.   Previous scholarships have ranged from $1,500 to $3,000.  Applications are available through school guidance counselors, principals, senior class sponsors, and on the CHARACTER COUNTS! page of the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.  The deadline for applications is 3 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2008.

            This program is funded in part by the W. Edward Bohrer Memorial Fund, DRS Signal Solutions and Rodgers Consulting, Inc.  For more information please contact the Gaithersburg Human Services Division at 301-258-6395 ext. 3.

     

City Devotes Special Day to Man’s Best Friend

Reward the loyalty and devotion of your favorite four-legged friends at Bark in the Park, the City of Gaithersburg’s annual canine celebration.  Scheduled for Saturday, April 26 from noon to 3 p.m., the event includes a dog obstacle course, a bone hunt and even a costume parade.  Bark in the Park takes place at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm, 506 South Frederick Avenue.

The entire afternoon is devoted to our canine citizenry and their owners.  Dogs can strut their stuff in the "Doggone It Parade" or show off their hunting prowess in the "No Bones About It” bone hunt.  There will also be a dog obstacle course, rabies clinic, and plenty of useful information from a variety of vendors.

Admission for all this fun is only $10 per dog.  Dogs residing in the City of Gaithersburg  receive a $2 discount if tickets are purchased in advance at the Activity Center, also located at Bohrer Park.

For more information call 301-258-6350 or email www.parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov.

     

 

 

Gaithersburg Announces Third Quarter FY 2008 Employee, Team Awards

At the Mayor and Council meeting on Monday, April 7, 2008, Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz and Acting City Manager James Arnoult presented the Employee of the Quarter Awards for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 to Jerry Pryor, Department of Public Works, Parks Maintenance & Engineering and Officer Isabel Salgado and Officer Jonathan Bennett, Police Department, and the Team of the Quarter Awards to the Beautification Awards Team and the Fleet Maintenance Team.

The City’s Employee Recognition Committee, made up of peers from each department, reviews nominations for Employee and/or Team of the Quarter. The Recognition Program guidelines provide that a maximum of two individual and two team awards may be presented in each quarter. This quarter there were three individual awards due to an unprecedented tie. The winners are then entered into nomination for the annual Employee and Team of the Year Awards.

Jerry Pryor, Maintenance Worker, Department of Public Works, Parks Maintenance & Engineering, was nominated for his exceptional performance on an ongoing basis. Jerry has been employed with the City for 10 years and has shown consistent service, is very dependable, and has always been willing to stay late to assist with last minute assignments. He is the type of worker who loves to be at work every day, enjoys spending time with his co-workers, knows his job and takes pride in the finished product. This award is for his continuous service and dedication to the City and his co-workers and for his efforts in making Gaithersburg look great.

Isabel Salgado, Police Officer II, Police Department was nominated for receiving three commendation letters for her outstanding work and dedication during this quarter. She consistently performs above and beyond her normal duties to assist with investigating crimes. Officer Salgado assisted the Gaithersburg Investigative Section with interviewing a child predator. Her translation and assistance resulted in a dangerous child molester being arrested. She was also commended by The Foundation School for her professional police service in dealing with troubled students and their severe aggressiveness. Finally, Officer Salgado was commended by a City resident for going beyond the call of duty and assisting her with resolving an issue with potential identity theft. Officer Salgado often volunteers for assignments and always goes beyond what is required to ensure the citizens of Gaithersburg receive quality police service. This quarter is just a continuing example of her hard work and dedication.

Jonathan Bennett, Police Officer II, Police Department was nominated for the exemplary manner in which he represented the City and the Police Department during his participation in the 2007 Holiday Task Force. This Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional effort that focuses mainly upon protecting our streets and citizens from the dangers posed by alcohol-related driving offenses during the holiday season. Officer Bennett’s dedication and hard work during his assignment contributed to a record number of 344 task force arrests for alcohol-related driving offenses during the effort’s eight week duration. Officer Bennett was personally responsible for a total of 48 of these arrests, which is an individual task force record. During this same period of time, Officer Bennett did not restrict his activities to alcohol offenses alone. He made an additional nine criminal arrests and handled 49 other calls for police service. His exemplary performance and consistent positive contributions serve to motivate his peers, foster an atmosphere of cooperation and team policing, and prove him to be an asset to the Department, the City, and the law enforcement profession.

The Beautification Awards Team, which includes Maria Fullerton and Patty Woodruff, Planning & Code Administration, was nominated for their exceptional performance hosting the Beautification Awards ceremony and reception. In 2007 the City recognized outstanding accomplishment in commercial and residential landscaping through the Beautification Awards program. The budget for the 2007 awards ceremony was significantly reduced, but this team embraced the challenge, making the decision to cater the reception, from shopping to clean up, for the 60 guests themselves. It’s the "can do" and "will do" attitude of these employees that made this event special for all the award winners.

The Fleet Maintenance Team which includes Dan Horton, Henry Kessler, Raymond Stream, Scotty Testerman and Keith Vogel, Public Works, Parks Maintenance & Engineering, was nominated for their excellent work on an ongoing basis. This team maintains the City’s fleet of approximately 174 vehicles plus all the equipment used on job sites such as mowers, weedeaters, rollers, and ground rakes. They are on a continuous deadline to have Police and Public Works vehicles ready at all times. Throughout the year, no matter what the season, this team keeps all of the equipment and trucks ready so City employees can get the job done and keep the City looking great.

For more information on the awards program and the individuals recognized please contact the Gaithersburg City Manager’s Office at 301-258-6310

 g

 g      

 

City Sponsors Trip to See The Lion King at Kennedy Center

Broadway comes to D.C. as the City of Gaithersburg sponsors a bus trip to see The Lion King at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 29, 2008.  The City has a limited number of tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance, so early reservation is recommended.

The bus departs at 5 p.m. from the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, and will return to Gaithersburg at approximately 11:30 p.m.  The price of $105 for City of Gaithersburg residents and $120 for nonresidents includes the theatre ticket and transportation. 

The Lion King is a dramatic adventure story that explores the circle of life: growing up, journeys, parent-child relations, responsibility, stewardship and the connectedness of all things.  Based on Disney’s animated movie, this Tony-award winning theatrical production features music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, including the Academy, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-winning song, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” 

For more information and to register please call 301-258-6350 or use RecXpress online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

 

Award-Winning Magic, Comedy Continue to Amaze at Arts Barn 

The Comedy and Mystery Society, combining astounding magic and sleight of hand with interactive theater and hilarious fun, announces its Winter/Spring 2008 season at the Arts Barn.

Award-winning magicians Bob Sheets, Alain Nu and Mark Phillips invite you to join them as members of the exotic, strange and amusingly interactive Comedy and Mystery Society.   As audience members enter the theatre, they’ll step into the secret and very kooky world of the CMS, a collection of zany characters not quite clever enough to take themselves lightly. This season’s periodic “Society Meetings” - each with a different agenda, frequently with guest artists - will be held at 8 p.m. on March 22, May 10, and June 14 (Saturday evenings) and January 30, February 6 and 27, March 12, April 9 and 30, May 28, and June 25 (Wednesday evenings).

The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg.  Tickets are $15 for residents and $18 for nonresidents for Wednesday performances, and $18 for residents and $21 for nonresidents for Friday performances. The family-friendly shows are perfect for ages ten and up.  For information and tickets please call 301-258-6394.  Tickets can also be purchased online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/RecXpress.  For information and directions visit the City of Gaithersburg’s website

Maryland 20878® g Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and CitygV. II  i .4

 Cover ] Articles ] Columns ] Commentary ] Editorials ] Viewpoints ] Restaurants ] Tours & Maps ] Our Townes ] Letters ] Links ] [ News ] Classifieds ] Contact ]
 Maryland 20878® & Aurora Artisans® LLC © 2007 All rights reserved  Disclaimers